DMN: Defensive player of the week (9/15): Keller’s Houston Miller

What he did: Miller led the Keller defensive front in a 20-0 victory against Hurst L.D. Bell, which had scored 39 and 49 points in its first two games. Keller was outgained by more than 150 yards, but staunch goal-line stands and turnovers gave Keller the victory.

He said it: “We have a lot of pride in our defense. It means a lot to us to pitch a shutout, and show the team last year we lost by only a field goal to, that this year we’re not anything to mess with. It also means a lot for me being a sophomore, and the coaches having the trust in me to do what I do.”

Coach said it: “His future is bright. That young man will definitely help our program over the next several years. He is a good football player, and has a chance to be a great one here shortly. We don’t win if we don’t create turnovers in that game. ” — Carl Stralow

Did you know?

Miller attended the “Top Gun” football camp last summer, held in Dublin, Ohio. The camp, run by Football University, is reserved for top athletes from across the nation who qualify in regional camps. Miller said he’s working to earn a college scholarship, and he dreams of someday playing in the NFL.

Turnovers help Keller blank L.D. Bell

The Indians played stellar red-zone defense and took advantage of four Blue Raiders fumbles en route to a 20-0 road victory despite being outgained 355 yards to 193.

Bell (2-1) dominated the first half statistically, outgaining the Indians 216-77, but found itself trailing by a touchdown. The Raiders fumbled four times in the half, losing three.

The first came on Bell’s second possession, which started at its own 6-yard line. The Raiders drove to the Keller 25, but quarterback Colson Romano was sacked and fumbled.

The Bell defense forced Keller to punt, but Johnny Leon mishandled the punt and the Indians pounced on it at the Raiders’ 46.

Keller (3-0) took advantage of the mistake. Four plays later McEachern connected with Brandon Poyser for a 26-yard touchdown to make it 7-0.

The Raiders again threatened on the ensuing drive. Fua Sapoi ran 42 yards to the Keller 1. But the Indians’ defense stiffened. Twice Bell was turned back, and on third down a botched exchange led to the Raiders’ third turnover of the half.

Keller again kept the Raiders off the board in the third quarter by blocking a 39-yard field-goal attempt. The next Bell possession resulted in another turnover. Romano hit T.J. Hardy for what looked to be a big play, but a Keller defensive back jarred the ball loose.

The Indians capitalized again. This time McEachern connected with Connor Killian from 6 yards to make it 13-0 after a missed PAT.

Keller secured the victory when running back Dalton Mills completed a fourth-down jump pass to Sione Teuhema for a 7-yard touchdown to make it 20-0 with 2:10 to play. The touchdown was set up by the Indians’ biggest play of the night, a 45-yard run by Poyser.

Great start in 2013 for the Indians!

By Kevin Casas

Special to the Star-Telegram

KELLER — After the offense sputtered on its first two possessions, Keller needed a spark to get rolling Thursday night.

The Indians found it on defense, as outside linebacker and Texas recruit Sione Teuhema recorded three sacks and three more tackles for loss in a 24-7 nondistrict victory over Mansfield at the Keller ISD Athletic Complex.

The senior’s play helped give Keller (2-0) better field position in the second quarter, enabling quarterback Hunter McEachern and running back Dalton Mills to get the offense going.

“My job is just to do what I can to get the offense in situations to succeed,” Teuhema said. “I never know what the coaches are going to call on defense, but on all the sacks, their offense was kind of confused on what we were doing.”

What Keller did was ride that confusion to short-field success, running only 44 plays for 212 yards and six possessions that started in Mansfield territory. The Tigers drop to 0-2.

McEachern and the Indians struggled in the first two offensive series of the game before Teuhema dropped Mansfield quarterback Caleb Evans at the end of the first quarter.

That helped Keller take the ball at the start of the second quarter on the Mansfield 31-yard line.

McEachern capped that six-play drive with a 17-yard touchdown run to make it 7-0.

Another strong defensive stop led to a Christian Perkins 36-yard field goal before Teuhema chased Evans again around left end.

The 15-yard loss led to more great field position and Mills capped a six-play drive with a 2-yard touchdown run for a 17-0 lead.

“We’ve started slow two weeks in a row now, and I can’t really put my finger on why,” Keller coach Carl Stralow said. “We’re just going to run the ball here, we’re not going to hide that. We’re just going to line up and hit you with it.”

Keller ran 33 running plays and threw 11 passes, but only three of those passes were downfield.

Evans completed 10 passes for 141 yards to lead the Tigers.

Keller Wins 2013 Season Opener!

After taking an impressive lead in the first half, the Indians fought hard to hang on for the win against Prosper with a final of 24-23.

Senior running back Dalton Mills led the way with 2 touchdowns and 190 yards rushing on 25 carries. Brandon Poyser also scored a TD on a run in the first quarter to put Keller up 7-0. Senior kicker Christian Perkins sealed the early lead with a 47 yard field goal in the second half. The score at the half was 17-7 Keller.

But, Prosper was not going to back down easily. After scoring late in the first half and putting on an impressive passing display in the second half, the Eagles scored a touchdown late in the fourth to come within 1 of tying the ballgame with just seconds left on the clock.

However, after a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct for celebrating after the TD, Prosper was pushed back to kick a 35 yarder for the PAT. In a dramatic finish, the Eagles missed the kick to send Keller to the win column for their first outing of the 2013 season!

Board Approves Carl Stralow as New Head Football Coach

Keller ISD’s Board of Trustees approved March 8 the hiring of Carl Stralow as the new head football coach of Keller High School.

Carl Stralow joins KHS and Keller ISD after serving as Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator at Colleyville Heritage High School since 2007. Prior to that he was the Defensive Coordinator at Coppell High School for seven years and served as Assistant Head Coach at Amos P. Godby High School in Tallahassee, Fla. from 1988-2000.

KISD Athletics Director Bob DeJonge said Stralow brings to Keller a great deal of coaching experience and a history of success at every level.

“Coach Stralow is a passionate, committed, and energetic leader, and I believe our students will benefit greatly from his guidance and experience,” DeJonge said. “Keller ISD and the Keller High School community are very excited to welcome him to our family.”

Stralow holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Physical Education from Florida State University in Tallahassee, and Secondary Physical Education Certification in the state of Texas.

RYAN VS KELLER - SCHEDULE CHANGE

Ryan vs. KELLER, originally scheduled for 10/22/2015, has been rescheduled for 10/24/15 at 1 p.m. at Keller ISD Stadium.

Keller rallies for overtime win over Keller Timber Creek

Keller rallies for overtime win over Keller Timber Creek

Fri 10/16,7:00pm,Keller ISD Athletic Complex, Keller

By Eric Liles

Special to the Star-Telegram

Why Keller won: Down 38-30 with three minutes left, the Indians moved 80 yards in nine plays with Tyler Tutt scoring on a 4-yard run with 36 seconds to play. Tutt’s 2-point conversion pass to Houston Miller forced overtime where Luke Hogan won it with a 40-yard field goal.